Chestnut+Heather+Bramble

24 Jan 2013

Competition prize: Tasting menu at Restaurant Martin Wishart

A tasting menu with matching wines at Martin Wishart's Michelin star restaurant in Edinburgh without having to pay: This is what I had been looking forward since I won the runner-up prize at his cooking challenge for amateur chefs. On December 21st, I redeemed this prize and my partner and me indulged in one, if not the best, meals we've ever had. I felt that taking pictures of the dishes would disturb our and otherguests' experiences, but I will describe in words the wonderful meal we've had. We were greeted with a beetroot macaroon filled with horseradish cream, which was the first of many surprises to come:Amuse-bouches:-Cauliflower cream with caper relish and golden raisin

-Breaded salsify with peanuts and pickled cauliflower mayonnaise

-Queenie Scallop with pork jowl and crispy pork skin

And here the menu and wine list, which I was kindly emailed by the Restaurant Manager:

CINDERELLA PUMPKIN SOUP

Apple curd and
lobster boudin

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CEVICHE OF GIGHA
HALIBUT

Mango & passion fruit

Or

LOCH RYAN NATIVE
OYSTERS

Green apple, sauerkraut, caviar d’aquitaine

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GRILLED & TARTAR OF WILD SEA-BASS

Apple, pickled
yellow radish, citrus and ginger broth

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FREGULA SARDA

Veal sweetbreads roasted in buckwheat, winter chanterelle

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ONGLET OF BEEF

Swiss chard,
smoked marrow, caramelised onion, fresh wasabi,

knotroot, confit
shallot red wine sauce

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PASSION FRUIT & AROMATIC ORANGE

White chocolate
mousse

Or

VALRHONA MANJARI
CHOCOLATE CREMEUX

Exotic fruit sorbet, chocolate sable

There was an extra luxurious dish of "Truffle Risotto with Scallop" that I had instead of the sea-bass. I'm not sure whether that was a clever swap, but we wanted to taste as many different dishes as possible and the risotto was decadent and delicious! My partner also had an extra cheese course with a selection of 5 cheeses that I all got to try :-) Now here are the accompanying wines:

2011 DOC Soave, Campo le Calle, Latium Morini, Italy

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2010 Muscat sec, Les Fruits Defendus, Domaine de Provenquiere, France

Or

2011 Riesling, Eden Road Wines, Canberra, Australia

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2009 Dry River Gewurtztraminer, Martinborough, New Zealand

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2010 The FMC Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch, South Africa

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2010 Corbiere, cuvee classique, Chateau Ollieux Romanis, France

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2006 Montbazillac, Chateau Tirecul La Graviere France

Or

2009 Reciotto della Valpolicella, Tommasi, Italy

It was amazing how well the wines complemented each dish. Being very un-experienced and unknowledgable in wines (something I desperately need to change!), I was amazed to taste for example a creamy wine with my creamy risotto. It was the first time that we had so carefully matched food and wine and it was a great experience - one definitely to be repeated!After having been treated to so much delicious food and wine, it was time for an espresso, which was served with chocolates flavoured either with raspberry, passionfruit and mango, salted caramel, praline or fresh mint; perfect to round up an excellent meal!What a great evening! I couldn't stop smiling afterwards and will remember this meal for a long time. I'd like to thank Martin Wishart again for this great experience and for organising the competition in the first place. It was great fun and - from my point of view - well worth taking part!